‘Too windy, too dry’

EAST ROCKINGHAM — Volunteer firefighters from East Rockingham and Cordova, as well as from the North Carolina Forest Service, responded early Sunday afternoon to a report of a controlled burn that no longer was under control.

Photo by Amanda Thompson

Steady winds took advantage of dry conditions that helped the blaze get away from a man burning within a small circle outside his home on Stokes Road, located south of Mizpah Road. Fire officials said it was a “red flag” day and discouraged outdoor fires. The emergency call for help was reported at 1:39 p.m.

Earl Graves with the Forest Service used a bulldozer to create a fire line between the blaze and a wooded area. The fire consumed one small outdoor structure and damaged another.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Less than two hours later, Forest Service personnel, along with volunteers from Hoffman Fire Department and Scotland County firefighters responded to a report of an outdoor fire that endangered a structure.

And at 4:28 p.m. the Forest Service and Cordova volunteers were again called out to an outdoor fire, this time on Old Cheraw Highway.